Safety control for shower heads and other hot-water outlets



Dec. 19, 1950 H. scHLAlcH 2,534,378

SAFETY CONTROL FOR SHOWER HEADS AND OTHER HoT WATER OUTLETS Filed Feb.15, 194'7 4 Sheets-Shea? 1 mijn LZ@ 5 477m M y- Gttorn'egs Dec. 19, 1950H. scHLAlcH 2,534,378

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- SAFETY CONTROL FOR SHOWER READS ANO OTHER ROT wATER OUTLETS Filed Feb.l5, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 /24 l l Gttornegs Patented Dec. 179, 1950UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SAFETY `CONTROL FOR SHOWER HEADSV AND OTHERHOT-WATER OUTLETS Herman Schlaich, Elmhurst, N. Y.

Application February 15, 1947, Serial No. 728,774

14 Claims.

This invention relates to hot water outlets and more particularly to hotwater outlets having thermostatically responsive means designed toprotect the user against being scalded. The invention finds especialutility as embodied in shower heads.

It is a common experience in hotels and apartment houses for the user ofa shower to be scalded when the temperature of the water delivered bythe shower head is suddenly increased. Such a sudden increase oftemperature may be brought about when water which has been standing inthe hot water pipe long enough to be cooled off is followed by thefreshly supplied hot water, or

when the proportion of cold water supplied to the l shower falls due toreduction of pressure through opening of other outlets in the line. Even`when the temperature of the water is not high enough to produce actualscalding, severe discomfort may be caused by a sudden rise oftemperature of the delivered water.

Safety shower heads have been proposed in the past, but the devicesproposed all have the drawback that they respond too slowly to the watertemperature so that the damage is apt to be done before the protectivemechanism lcan get into action.

`Such prior devices have also had the drawback in most instances thatonce the thermostatic cutoff mechanism had become heated to atemperature to function, the shower was out of operation for too long aperiod before becoming sufficiently cool to permit further flow ofwater. For example, in some of the prior art structures in whichprovision is made for cutting off the supply of l water to the showerhead automatically when the temperature of the water is too high, theshower head is left full of hot water. This Water does not drip awayreadily. The shower head delivery orifices are of almost capillaryneness, and they tend to ,close up in use as deposits form on the walls.There is no pressure behind the trapped water and air cannot enter theshower head readily to facilitate the discharge of the water. As aconsequence, the shower is interrupted until the water has slowly seepedaway and the shower head has had anopportunity to cool.

In another form of prior art structure the supply of water is not cutolf, but when the water becomes too hot a bypass is opened so that thewater is diverted and discharged in a stream against the shower wall orcurtain. This type of construction, if it were quickly responsive totemperature might partially protect the body of the user except forsplashing, but might permit the 2 feet to be severely scalded Iby thewater which iioWs down the floor of the shower.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a safetyshower or other hot water outlet in which all of the drawbacks referredto are eliminated.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a shower heador other hot water outlet having safety devices which can be counted onto function effectively over long periods of time, irrespective of thecharacter of the water supply. In many devices of the prior art thethermoresponsive elements which have been proposed stand at all times orthroughout the greater part of the time immersed in the water. If it beattempted to use these devices where the water supply contains asubstantial percentage of minerals, a scale will be deposited upon thethermoresponsive devices `which will slow up their operation to such adegree that they are no longer effective to perform their safetyfunction. In accordance with the present invention this objection isovercome, and the construction is such that there will be no substantialdeposit of scale upon the thermoresponsive elements irrespective of thecharacter of the water or duration of use.

In accordance with the present invention automatic mechanism isdesirably provided for cutting off or diverting the water supply to theshower head or other outlet when a predetermined temperature is reached.Any type of thermoresponsive mechanism may be used which is very qui-ckin operation and positive in action, having suii'icient power toeffectively stop or divert the flow of water. For example, properlydesigned vapor tension or bimetallic thermostatic devices could beemployed. The most suitable mechanism which I have devised at thepresent time, however, is of the liquid filled type comprising a bulbportion and an expansible chamber portion. In order to make thismechanism quickly responsive to temperature changes, the bulb portion ismade of very large surface area in proportion to its volume and islocated in intimate heat exchanging relation with the water flowingthrough the shower head. This arrangement is desirably brought about bymaking the bulb in the form of an elongated tube and disposing the tubethroughout its length in contact with a wall or walls of the showerhead, these walls being desirably made of thin heat conductive metal.

It is a very important feature of the preferred form of the inventionthat the mechanism operated by the thermostatic device not only shutsoff the water supply to the shower head but that it also opens a bleederopening or openings which are effective to drain the shower head in averi7 short time.

With a shower head of the construction described, the supply of watermay be cut off at a time when there is an accumulation of hot water inthe pipe supplying the shower head. This accumulation of hot water canbe discharged through the bleeder openings of the shower head rapidlyenough to be practical for most purposes. Owing to the construction andarrangement of the parts and particularly to the larger exposed area ofthe thermoresponsive tube or bulb, the cooling of the latter in thesurrounding air will produce a very quick reopening of the shut offvalve.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, however,provision is made of alternative or supplementary means through whichthe accumulated hot water in the pipe may be caused by the user to bedischarged independently of the influence of the thermostatic device.

Other objects and advantages of the invention Will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings forming part of this specification:

Fig. l is a fragmentary diagrammatic view illustrating a portion of ashower `bath which includes a shower head embodying features of theinvention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view on a larger scale than Fig. 1 of theshower head illustrated in Fig. l, the section being taken on line 2-2of Fig. 3;

Fig. 3 is a face View of the shower head of Fig. 1, the view being upona larger scale than Fig. 1 but a smaller scale than Fig. 3;

Fig. 4 is a view in elevation, partly broken away, showing theexpansible chamber structure of the thermostatic device and mechanismassociated therewith;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a modified form of themechanism illustrated in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view in elevation, partly in section, illustrating amodified structure which embodies features of the invention;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken upon the line 'l-l of Fig.6 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating a modifiedstructure which embodies features of the invention;

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 1 showing anothermodied construction of shower head embodying features of the invention;

Fig. 10 is a horizontal sectional view of the head shown in Fig. 9 takenon line lil-lil of Fig. 9; and

Fig. 11 is a View in elevation of a combined hot and cold water fixturehaving a safety cutoff valve embodied therein, the cutoff valve beingshown in vertical section.

In Fig. l a stall shower wall I is illustrated as having hot and coldwater pipes 2 and 3 within' it for supplying water to a mixing valve iwhich is operated by a handle 5. From the body of the mixing valve d asingle supply pipe 5 extends upward and out through the wall, beingconnected through a conventional socket connection l with a stem 8having a ball 9 thereon, the stem Ibeing attached to a novel shower headI2 as shown in Figs. 1 to 4. The ball and socket connection is ofconventional construction and may be like the ball and Socket connectionillustrated and hereinafter described in connection with Fig. 6.

The Stem 8 is attached to or is an integral part of the shower headcasing Ill. This casing may be of any suitable type but in the formillustrated includes a conical portion and a cylindrical portion. Thelower end of the cylindrical portion is formed with a shoulder i5against which a perforated disc i8. in which are a large number of smallholes Z, is seated, the disc being held in place by a split ring 22which is lodged in a groove 25 formed in the inner face of thecylindrical portion of the shower head casing. The casing is desirablyof cast metal and has a depending skirt member 26 which serves as afurther anchoring means for the perforated disc I5. Spacing sleeves 28are interposed between the disc i8 and an enlarged lower end portion ofthe skirt 2B and beaded screws 30 are passed through the disc i8 andrespective sleeves 28 and are threaded into the skirt 265.

The stem 8 is formed with a bore 32 which constitutes a conduit fordelivering water to the shower head. Normally the water flows freelythrough the bore 32 into the shower head and out of the shower headthrough the perforations of the disc I8.

A thermostatic mechanism is provided for shutting off the delivery ofwater by the shower head when the temperature of the water isobjectionably or dangerously high. This mechanism may be set to shut offthe delivery of water at any desired temperature throughout aconsiderable range. It is usually considered desirable, to set it to cutoff the delivery of water at a temperature in the neighborhood ofdegrees F. At that temperature water is uncomfortably hot, although farfrom scalding. By designing and setting the mechanism to shut off atsuch a temperature the mechanism will be caused to act very quickly whenscalding water comes through.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention here illustrated, thetemperature responsive element comprises a bulb of extended area shownin the form of an elongated spiral tube 34. The tube 34 is of smalldiameter, thin walled, highly conductive metal, such as copper and isset into a spiral 36 formed in the face of the disc i8. The tube iswelded or soldered to the disc, as indicated at 38, so as to be insealed metallic contact with the disc. The groove is preferably of suchdepth and contour that the disc I8 is adapted to engage substantiallyhalf the circumference of the tube throughout the length of the tube soas to insure instant transfer of heat to the tube. The formation of thedisc with the spiral groove therein and with the tube welded or solderedthereto, so stiffens the plate that the latter may be made of very thinmetal, thus facilitating the transfer of heat from the inside of theshower head to the tube. The tube, though small in cross section, is ofsuch length that its total volume is quite substantial. As an example ofdimensions which may be used, but without limiting the invention to anyparticular dimensions, a tube several feet long may be employed having awall thickness of one one-hundredth of an inch (.01), and a bore of sixor eight one-hundredths of an inch (.06 or .08") more or less. The tubeis closed at its outer end, but its inner end communicates with meansforming an expansion chamber or bellows so that vported upon the upperface of the flange 4S.

yassisi@ s thermal expansion of liquid filling the tube and bellows willcause the latter to expand and operate the device as will be explained.The volume of liquid in the expansion chamber is preferably kept assmall as possible so as to make the device quicker acting. In theparticular construction shown in Figs. l and 4, the inner end of thetube has a sealed communication with a bore 40 of a fitting or stem 42.The tting `42 is secured in a flange 44 in the center of the disc I8.The fitting 42 includes a ange 46 at the upper end thereof, theperiphery of which is threaded.

A bag 48 of synthetic rubber or other suitable impervious flexiblematerial is provided with a flange 50 at its lower end, the flange beingsup- A coil spring 52 starts from a point above the center of the upperend of the bag 48 and is wound in the forni of a volute spiral to coverthe upper end of the bag, The spring is then continued as a helicalspiral to surround the bag, and finally has its lowermo-st turnsurrounded by an additional turn, the two lower turns being supportedupon the iange 53 of the bag 48.

A coupling 54 is threaded onto the flange 403 of the tting 42. Thecoupling 54 is formed with an internal flange 56 which overlies theflange 50 of the bag and the outer lower turn at least of the spring 52.The coupling serves to clamp the spring and the bag ange firmly againstthe fitting 42. The bag communicates with the bore 4i! of the fitting 42and is adapted to be expanded by expansion of liquid with which the bag46 and the tube 34 are filled. rIhe helical turns that surround thesidewall of the bag limit radial expansion of the bag, so that as thepressure increases the bag expands axially but not substantially in aradial direction. The volute turns of the spring are engaged by theupper end of the bag so that as the pressure Within the bag tends toelongate the bag, the surrounding spring is also elongated. rTheexpansible liquid, acting through the bag 48, serves by its expansion todrive upward an associated mechanism whereby the water supply to theshower head is shut off and a series of bleeder openings 58 in the discIii are opened. The openings 58 are of sufficiently large diameter toallow the water in the shower head to run out freely. A filler plug t@is preferably placed inside of the bag 48 so as to nearly lill the sameand reduce the amount of liquid in the bag. The filler may be made ofmetal, either solid or hollow, or it may be made of plastic or othersuitable material. A hollow metal ller from which the air has beenexhausted is very suitable for the purpose as it has low heat capacityand, therefore, does not retard the speed of operation.

A generally cylindrical block 62 rests upon the volute turns of thespring 52. The block has its lower end reduced in diameter and tted intothe upper end of the sleeve B4, the sleeve and block being made unitaryby welding or in any other suitable manner. The sleeve 64 has successiveout-turned and down-turned flanges 66 and 68 at the lower end thereof,through the latter of which it is fitted upon and connected to a cuplikemember i!! by a weld 12. The member l!! is slidable upon the coupling 54and guides the sleeve 64 and the block 62 for movement axially of theshower head. A valve 'i4 has its threaded stem 'i6 screwed onto a bore18 of the block 62. A washer 85) is secured in the upper end of thevalve i4 for engagement with a seat 82 formed water.

around the. lower end of the bore 32. The teme perature at whichthewasher Bllwill engage the seat 82 to shut off delivery of water totheshower head may be adjusted by adjusting the valve 14 relative to theblock 62.

The thermostatic device, as described, is very quickly responsive to thetemperature of the water in the shower head casing because the. tube 34has great surface area in proportion to its volume, and'because a largeportion of the surface of the tube isr in intimate metallic contact withthe disc I8 which lis disposed in direct heatexchanging relation withthe water in the shower head. The hot water passing through the smallholes. 20 also flows on both sides of the tube 34. The entire length ofthe tube is thus heated at once. The valve 'I4 is instantly responsiveto temperature changesbecause the volume of liquid in ther tube 34 islarge in relation to the volume of liquid in the bag 4S. The bag is alsosurrounded by water, but the liquid in the bag is not heated so rapidlyas that in the tubeas the surface exposed is so much less. However, thefiller block in 5h3 bag or bellows reduces the thickness of the liquidbody and thereby helps. in raising the average temperature of the liquidin the bellows.

The cup-like member 'Iii has ailxed to its lower face a valve washer 84.The washer 84 normally seats against the disc i8 closing the bleederopenings 58. When the water cornes through hot enough to close the valve'14, the valve washer S4 is carried upward away from the bleederopenings 5,8 to uncover them. Water trapped in the shower head isthereby permitted to escape, the bleeder openings serving both toconduct the water out of the shower head and to admit air forfacilitating the escape of water through the perforations 2B in the discI8,

A rapid discharge of water from the shower head is important as itpermits the thermostatic elements to cool quickly, thereby restoring theshower head to an operative condition. Clearly if the shower head holdsits heat for substantial periods of time, the thermostatic cut offremains effective and operation of the shower is impossible Rapidcooling ofi is therefore secondary in importance only to instantaneousclosing in a successful safety shower head. With the constructiondescribed the extended area of the thin walled tube 34 exposed to theair is very important because it will cool olf as rapidly as it heatedup, or almost as quickly, and therefore will cause the cut off valve toopen and permit further operation of the shower. if the operator hasadjusted the temperature of the water to a proper one by means of themanual control valve, the shower can then be continued with water at.proper temperature without any delay. Owing to the a1'- rangement ofapplicants shower, the parts are so quickly cooled that it isunnecessary to provide for a flow of cold or cool water into or throughthe shower head in order to restore the thermostatic mechanism to anoperative condition.

It is highly desirable to provide a shower head with means of indicatingthe temperature of the For this purpose, the cylindrical portion of theshower head casing I4 is formed with an internal boss 86 and in thisarea the wall is formed with a threaded bore 88 and an unthreadedreduced bore 90 in which a quick-acting thermometer 92 of suitableconstruction is mounted.

The safetyshower head described is adapted to be substituted as a unitfor a shower head of conventional construction which it is designed toreplace.

In Fig. disclosure is made of an alternative bag supporting structuredesigned to be employed instead of the structure illustrated in Fig. 4.In general, the disclosure of Fig. 5 is a duplicate of that of Fig. 4,and corresponding reference characters have been added to correspondingparts with the subscript a added in each instance and the differencesonly will be described. A series of washers S4 is employed around thebag 48a. The washers 94 are broad and flat and are inexpansible radiallyand lie in engagement with one another when the spring is in a collapsedcondition. The upper end of the bag 46a is formed with a flange 96 whichis located in a recess provided in the lower end of the block 62a. Theuppermost of the washers 94 is lodged within the recess of the block andis trapped in place by a fiange 98 which is turned inward to underliesuch washer. The inturned flange of the coupling 54a-does not cover thelower washer, but merely clamps the ange 50a of the bag 46a against theiiange 46a of the block 42a.

An alternative shower head is illustrated in Fig. 8. This shower` headlike the shower head of Figs. 1 and 2 is adapted to be substituted as aunit for the conventional shower head which it is designed to replace.

The shower head includes a casing |00 of conical shape. At the bottom ofthe conical wall portion of the casing is an outwardly projecting ange|02. Secured to this flange is a cylindrical casing portion |04 which ispreferably made of thin sheet metal of good heat transmittingproperties. The cylindrical member |04 may be secured to the flange atthe bottom of the casing |00 in any suitable manner as by having a bead|06 therein which ts under the ange and is clamped against the flange byange |08 on the top of the cylindrical member, a packing ring I l 0being preferably interposed to prevent leakage. At the bottom of thecylindrical member |64 is another bead |l2 against which is placed aperforated disc H0 in which are small holes |6 for the passage of theshower spray. The disc 4 is secured in position in any suitable manneras by means of a split ring Il@ fitting inside of a marginal flange |20on a cylindrical member |04.

A thermostatic device is provided as before for shutting off the supplyof water to the shower head and for opening bleeder openings |22 in thedisc 4. The bulb portion of the thermostatic device consists of a longsmall bore, thin-walled tube |24 of highly conductive metal, such ascopper which is wound around and embedded in a helical groove |26 in thecylindrical portion |04 of the casing, The tube is closed at its outerend but communicates at its inner end with a bore |28 of a fitting |55.The fitting |30 is mounted centrally of the disc ||4 being welded to adownturned ange |31 which is provided in the center of the disc. Thefitting |30 carries a flange |34 at its upper end to which is attachedthe lower end of a flexible metal bellows |36. The lower margin of thebellows is lodged in a recess of the ange |34 and a marginal portion ofthe flange is spun into place to seal and clamp down the margin of thebellows. A iller or hollow casing |38 rests freely upon the upper end ofthe tting |30 but does not obstruct communication of the passage 65 withthe interior of the bellows, the purpose of the ller |38 being to reducethe capacity of the bellows and thereby increase the quickness ofresponse of the bellows to teniperature changes. The tube |24 and thebellows |36 are completely lled with liquid which is adapted to expandin response to increase of temperature. The upper end of the bellows isdesirably connected to a block |40 into which the stem of the valve |42is threaded. The valve |42 carries a Washer |44 for engaging a valveseat |46 to cut off the delivery of water to the Shower head when thewater temperature eX- ceeds a predetermined value.

A sleeve |48 connected to the block |40 eX- tends down around theiitting |30 and has a valve plate or washer |50 attached to its lowerend for normally closing the bleeder openings |22 in the disc |4. As inthe apparatus of Fig. 1, the bleeder openings are normally closed, butare uncovered by the Valve plate |50 when the water temperature is highenough to cause the valve |42 to be closed against the seat |46.

In this form of the invention provision is made of manually controlledmeans for draining hot water from the supply pipe 6 when the valve |42is closed. Water entering the bore 32 passes into a cross bore |52.These bores are constantly in communication with the supply pipe 6. Thebore |52 communicates through the passage |54 with the interior of theshower head, A valve |56 secured by a screw |50 to a valve stem |68 isnormally held against a seat |62 at the entrance to the passage |54 toclose off the passage and require all water delivered to the shower headto pass the valve 42. The valve stem |00 is connected to a resilientdiaphragm |64 being provided with a reduced threaded portion |66 whichis passed through the center of the diaphragm. An extension stem |68 isthreaded onto the reduced threaded end |66 to clamp the center of thediaphragm against a collar |10 which is formed on the stem |60. Themargin of the diaphragm is clamped to the shower head casing by athreaded plug |12. The stem extension |68 is adapted to be thrust inwardto push the valve |56 away from the seat |62 against the resistance ofthe diaphragm |64.

A fulcrum bracket |14 has a stem portion |16 threaded into a recess inthe upper portion of the casing and fixed in place by a lock nut |18.Ears of the bracket carry a pivot pin |82 upon which a bell crank lever|04 is pivotally mounted. One arm of the bell crank lever |84 engagesthe stem extension |68 while the other arm is connected to a chain |86whereby the bell crank may be turned in a counterclockwise direction tothrust the valve stem |60 toward the right as the parts are viewed inFig. 8.

When the shower has been shut off by the closing of the valve |42, theuser may cause the hot water in the pipe 6 to be quickly disposed of byopening the valve |56. Since the valve |56 is not under the control ofthe thermostatic mechanism, the hot water may be dischargedindependently of the thermostatic mechanism. As soon as the excessivelyhot water has been disposed of, the flow of water of normal temperaturepast the valve |56 through the shower` head causes the Valve |42 to bereopened. The chain |86 may thereupon be released to permit the Valve|56 t0 be automatically closed by the diaphragm |64 and the regulatinghandle 5 may then be manipulated to secure the water temperature desiredfor resumption of the shower bath.

A thermometer |88 is mounted in a socket |90 9 of the casing portionwith the bulb |92 of the thermometer disposed inside the casing.

In the construction described in which the thermo-responsive tube islocated around the outside of a portion of the casing, it is desirableto provide means which will surely direct a substantial part oi thewater coming to the shower head into direct contact with part of thecasing wall surrounded by the thermoresponsive tube. For this purpose, Ihave provided a water diversion baflie in the form of a cone |94carrying a depending skirt portion 96 located near to the cylindricalpart of the casing. The skirt |96 is provided with openings |98extending throughout most of its circumference so as to permit the waterwhich comes down outside of the baiile to be discharged through theperforated shower plate. The central depending skirt portion of theshower casing is shown as provided with an annular flange 2e!) which isrecessed at 204 to receive the upper edge of the conical baiiie |94which is thereby held in position. Above the flange 200 are large holes202 for discharging the water above the baffle.

In the construction illustrated in Figs. 6 and '7, the shower head maybe the same as that illustrated and described in and in connection withFigs. 1 to 4.

There is provided between the shower head and the supply pipe a separateunit which may be utilized if desired for eiiecting a quick discharge ofwater in the pipe Ei. In this construction the'normal bell and socketjoint is removed from theend of the pipe 6 and a bell and socketconnection is provided between the new unit and the shower head.

The pipe 6 terminates in a threaded end 205' on which a valve fitting298 is screwed. The fitting is formed with a passage 2 ID through `whichwater may iiow to the shower head. The lower end of the tting is formedwith a parti-spherical seat 2 l2 in which a ball 214 on the shower headis mounted. A union nut `2|5 is screwed onto the lower end of the tting268. The union nut is also 4formed with a parti-spherical seat 2|8 forengaging the bell.

The purpose of the fitting 208 is to provide a means for quicklydischarging hot water from the pipe 5 when the flow of water through theshower head has been temporarily interrupted by the hotness of thewater. The fitting 2% is formed with a threaded nipple 222. A cap 22A isthreaded onto the nipple and clamps in place a gasket 225 and a disc228. The disc 224 is made fast with the stem 230 of a thermometer 232. Acoil spring 234 surrounds the stem 239 bears at one end against the disc228 and at its opposite end against a valve 235. The valve 235 isnormally held in engagement with a seat 233 for preventing discharge ofwater through a passage 249. The valve 23e is provided with a stem 231which is mounted in a chamber 262 and which passes through a perforatedplate 244. The plate 244 is clamped in place by a threaded cap 2555. Apivot bracket 24.8 has its stem 25d threaded into the tting and isprovided with ears 252. A pin 254 carried by the ears 252 pivotallysupports the bell crank 25e. One arm of the bell crank engages the valvestem '23? while the other arm is connected to a pull chain 253. Thespring 234 normally maintains the valve 235 closed. A downward pullkupon the chain 258 is eiective, however, to rock the bell crank 25E in acounterclockwise direction and to push the stem 231 toward the right foropening the valve 23E.

1o The parts are illustrated with the valve in an open condition in Fig.6.

By use of the pull chain and the valve 236, assuming that the user hasadjusted the mixing valve so as to supply a cooler mixture, the smallamount of hot water contained in the pipe t can be instantly discharged,thereby permitting the cooler water to reach the shower head and helpcoolv oi the thermostatic element which has also been cooling oif owingto the fact that the liquid in the discharge head itself has run out.This permits the shower to be returned to use with the water at itsproper temperature. As the valve 23e is ordinarily only opened longenough to discharge the very small amount of hot water in the pipe, nodanger of scalding results. Gnly a cupful or so of water is dischargedin this manner. As an added precaution, however, it is desirable todischarge the water through the perforations in the plate :l in adirection where it will not strike a person standing under the shower.For instance, the water may be discharged -against the wall where itwill cool off surlciently before it reaches the floor.

In the construction shown in Figs. 9 and li), a modified formof showerhead is illustrated which, in addition to thermostatic cutoi means suchas already described, is provided with an adjustable valve by which theshower may be changed from a i'lne spray to a coarse spray, orvice-versa. Any suitable construction may be used for this purpose. Asshown, the disc 3|4 is provided with a plurality of small perforationsHEB and with a few large central perforations SiS. An adjustable valve318 may be moved to cover or uncover these large perforations at will.The perforations 3io may be formed in a depressed area 328 and a valve3|8 is `preferably formed so as to rest in this depression but to becapable or" being moved out of it by a sidewise movement. For thispurpose the valve 3 l 8 is mounted on or formed integrally with a springmetal arm 322 which will yield sufciently to permit the valve to slidein and out of the depression. For moving the arm 322 any suitable meansmay be employed. As illustrated, the outer end of the arm is bent up andover and terminates in a toothed rack 32d. The teeth of the rack areengaged by a pinion 325 mounted on a shaft 328 projecting through theside `of the shower head casing and having aixed thereto a knob orhandle 335i by which the pinion maybe rotated, thus causing the valve tobe moved to a position either to open or close the holes 3|'5. When thevalve is open, the bulk of the water will flow out through the largehole 3|6 in preference to the smaller holes lie. This will give a coarsespray. Also, by using this coarse spray the water will now out of theshower head in a large volume and a low pressure and may be used as ameans for lling the bathtub if the shower is mounted in customaryposition above the tub. This has the great advantage that only oneoutlet and one set of hot and cold water valves or mixing valve isnecessary to supply both the shower and the tub. This results in asubstantial saving in cost both of installation and maintenance. Also,the same thermostatic safety cutoff may be used ior avoiding the dangerof scalding from hot water for both the shower and for lling the tub.This gives protection for both .of these Apurposes with the use of but asingle thermostatic device, thereby resulting in a further saving. Also,because oi the construction of the automatic cutoi as a part of theself-draining shower head, danger of the cutoff l1 becoming ineffectivebecause of the accumulation of scale, if the water supply is hard, isavoided and an effective safety device is provided irrespective of thecharacter of the water.

The construction of the thermostatic device [comprising the coiledtubular bulb |24, bellows |36, valve M2 and associated parts is the sameas shown in Fig. 8 and will not, therefore, be further described. Thesleeve |48 which is moved by the bellows carries at its lower end anextension 332 which terminates in a iiange 334 carrying a pair ofdiametricaily located valve pads 336 that open drain holes 338 in thedisc 3|i when the bellows are expanded to close the valve |42 againstits seat |45. Of course, when the large holes 3|6 are open, they willserve to drain the water quickly from the shower head irrespective ofthe opening of the holes 338.

While the construction of the thermostatic safety cutoff so fardescribed in this application has been illustrated in connection withshower heads, :where it finds the greatest utility, it may also beadapted to use as a safety device in connection with any hot water orhot and cold water outlet. For example, in Fig. 11, a usual form of hotand cold water fixture is illustrated, comprising two valves i? and 352,one of which may control a hot water supply and the other a cold watersupply. These two valves discharge into a single connection 354 havingan outlet 356 which may be provided 'with the usual external screwthread 358. screwing on the thread 358 is the upper tting 3E!) of athermostatic safety cutoff device embodying features of the presentinvention. Mounted in the tting 369 is a valve plate 352 lwhich has anoutlet opening in the center thereof surrounded by a valve seat 3154.Projecting downwardly from the valve plate, three or more guide lugs 366may be provided between which slides a valve 35S adapted to seat againstthe valve seat 364. The valve is mounted on a stem 310 carried by a.block which may be of any suitable construction, such as that of theblock |49 shown in Fig, 8. This block is mounted on top of a movablesleeve M8 in which is mounted a bellows as shown in Fig. 8 and whichneed not, therefore, be again illustrated in detail. From the bottom ofthe sleeve projects a hollow stem or fitting |30 which is shown asmounted on a plug 312 carried by the lower fitting 315| of the automaticsafety cutoff device. The block 3l2 is provided with suitable openings37S for the passage of water. The lower fitting 314 is connected to theupper tting 38B by means of a thin metal shell 385 which may be ofcopper or other good heat conducting metal and which is preferablyprovided with helical corrugations 382. The bulb member of thethermostatic device is in the form of a helical tube Sell sealed at itsupper end and soldered or welded into the corrugations in the casing 36eand having its lower end sealed into the hollow stem |30 as in the caseof the thermostatic device shown in Fig. 8. Water coming from thefaucets passes out under the valve 3558 and through the casing 33t! andout through the fitting 314. If the water is too hot, its heat will beinstantly transmitted to the bellows and through the thin casing wall tothe tube 334 and will cause the liquid in the latter to expand, therebyoperating the bellows and closing the valve 368. Owing to the extendedarea of the tube 384 and to its intimate contact with the thin wall ofthe casing, the operation will be so quick as to almost be instantaneousthereby preventing the user from possible scalding. As soon as the Wateris shut off, the very small amount in the casing will run out throughthe large holes 315 thereby draining the casing. Owing to the large areaof the tube 384 exposed to the atmosphere, this tube will very quicklycool through the few degrees necessary to permit the valve Sii toreopen. Presumably, in the meantime, the user will have adjusted the hotand cold water faucets (or mixing valve) to a point where water of aproper temperature will be supplied thereby permitting the faucets to beused. If, however, the user has not suiiiciently .cut down the hot watersupply to a point where the temperature is safe, the valve 3i8 willagain close.

In the construction shown in Fig. 11 just as with the constructions ofthe shower head illustrated the tube or bulb of the thermostatic deviceis not left submerged at all times in water and, therefore, is notsubject to becoming encrusted with scale in the case of a hard watersupply. Therefore, the device will retain its effectiveness for longperiods of time irrespective of the character of the water supply.

While I have illustrated and described in detail certain preferred formsof my invention, it is to be understood that changes may be made thereinand the invention embodied in other structures. I do not, therefore,desire to limit myself to the specific constructions illustrated, butintend to cover my invention broadly in whatever form its principles maybe embodied.

What I claim is:

1. A safety shower head having a shut-off valve associated therewith forshutting oi the supply of water to the head, and a thermoresponsivedevice for closing said valve when the water temperature rises to apredetermined value, said thermorespcnsive device including an elementfor actuating the valve and a thermosensitive element, saidthermosensitive element having a large area in intimate heat exchangingcontact with a wall of the head which is contacted by the water enteringthe head, and having an extended area exposed to the air outside of saidhead so that said element will be air cooled when the supply of water tothe head is cut off by said valve.

2. A safety shower head comprising a casing having a wall portion ofthin metal of good heat conducting properties, a valve for cutting oilthe supply of water to said head when the water temperature rises beyonda predetermined value, and a thermoresponsive device operativelyconnected to said valve, said thermoresponsive device having a long,small bore, thin walled tube of metal in intimate thermo-conductivecontact with the thin walled portion of the casing, said tube containinga thermosensitive fluid, said tube and the contents thereof and the thincasing wall portion in contact therewith constituting a thermosensitiveelement responding to the temperature of the water in the casing untilthe predetermined temperature is reached and the valve closed andpresenting an extended area to the outer air so that it will be aircooled after closing of the valve.

3. A safety shower head having a casing including a perforated sprayplate of good heat conducting material, a valve for cutting oi thesupply of water to the shower head when the water temperature reaches apredetermined Value, and thermostatic means for actuating said valve,said thermostatic means having a thermosensitive element in the form ofa small bore,

13 thin walled, metal tube containing a thermoresponsiv'e liquid, saidtube being disposed in intimate thermo-conductive contact with saidspray plate.

4. A safety shower head having a casing including a perforated sprayplate olf good heat conducting material, a valve for cutting off thesupply of water to the shower head when the water temperature reaches apredetermined value, and thermost'atic means for actuating said valve,.said thermostatic means having a ther'- mosensitive element in the formof a small bore, thin walled, metal tube containing a thermoresponsiveliquid, said tube being disposedin spiral form andmetallically securedthroughout at least the greater part of its length in intimatethermo-conductive contact to the outer face of said spray plate.

5. A safety shower head having a casing including a perforated sprayplate of good heat conducting material, a valve for cutting ofi thesupply ofV water to the shower head when the water temperature reaches apredetermined value, and thermostatic means for actuating said valve,said thermosta-tic means having a thermosensitive element in the form ofa smallbore, thin walled, metal tube containing a thermoresponsiveliquid, said tube being disposed in intimate thermo-conductive contactwith said spray plate, andbleeder valve means operatively connected tosaid thermostatic vmeans for 'discharging the water left in said casingwhen the supply of water to the shower head is cut 01T.

6. A safety shower head comprising, in cornbination, a casing, athermostatic device associated with said casing and disposed to be inintimate heat exchanging relation with the water therein, a valvecontrolled by the thermostatic device to cut oii the delivery of waterto the head when the water temperature is increased to a predeterminedvalue, said casing being formed with a bleeder opening and a bleedervalve normally obstructing the bleeder opening and operative connectionsbetween said thermostatic device and said bleeder valve for opening saidbleeder valve upon the closing of the firstmentioned valve.

7. A safety shower head having a thermostatic device forming part ofsaid head and disposed to be in intimate heat exchange relation with thewater in the head, and a valve controlled by the thermostatic device tocut oliU the delivery of water to the head when the water temperature isincreased to a predetermined value, the thermostatic device including abulb portion in the form of a long, small bore, thin walled tube ofmetal, said tube being wound into spiral form and embedded to asubstantial depth in a thin wall of the shower head to induce it to beheated rapidly by the water, said tube containing a thermoresponsivehuid.

8. A safety shower head having a thermostatic device forming part ofsaid head and disposed to be in intimate heat exchanging relation to thewater in the head, said device including a bulb portion in the form of along, small bore, thin walled tube of metal wound into spiral form, andan expansible chamber connected therewith, said chamber having a fillerplug occupying the middle part thereof so as to reduce its capacity, thetube and chamber being nlled with liquid, and valve means operativelyconnected with said chamber operable to shut off the delivery of waterto the head when the water temperature exceeds a predetermined value.

9. In combination, a safety shower head unit comprising a casing and anormally open valve for controlling the delivery of water from a supplypipe to said casing, a thermostatic device responsive to the temperatureof the water in said head to close said vaive when the water temperatureexceeds a predetermined value and a further unit inserted between thesupply pipe and said safety shower head, said unit comprising a conduithaving a discharge opening at one end thereof, a bypass valve mounted insaid discharge opening, a second opening in said conduit opposite thedischarge opening, a thermometer having an indicating dial outside ofsaid conduit, the stem of said thermometer extending into said secondopening so as to be exposed to water passing through the conduit, aspiral Spring surrounding said thermometer stem and engaging said bypassvalve to normally maintain said bypass valve in closed condition, andmanual means for opening said bypass valve.

10. A safety 'shower head comprising a casing having an inlet for waterand having vmeans for discharging water therefrom in the form of aspray, a valve for closing said water inlet, a thermostatic deviceincluding an expansible chamber mounted in said casing, a sleeveenclosing said expansible chamber and adapted to bel movable by saidchamber 'when said chamber is expanded, a valve carried by said sleevefor closing the water inlet, a bleeder opening into said casing, a valvefor opening and closing said bleeder opening operatively connected tosaid sleeve so as to open said bleeder opening when the sleeve moves toclose the inlet valve and a thermosensitive element connected to saidthermosensitive device, said thermosensitive element responding to thetemperature of water entering the shower head so as to actuate saidchamber to cause the closing of the inlet valve when a predeterminedtemperature is reached, said thermosensitive element also responding toouter air temperatures when the water supply valve is closed and thebleeder opening is opened so as to discharge water left in the showerhead.

11. A safety shower head comprising a hollow casing and having ashut-oil' valve associated therewith for shutting off the supply ofwater to the head, a power device for opening and closing said valve,and temperature responsive means for actuating said power device, saidtemperature responsive means including a thin metal wall portion forminga part of the casing wall, and a thermosensitive element formed of thinmetal having good heat conducting properties and joined throughout anextended area to the thin wall portion of the shower head, one side ofsaid united thin wall portion and thermosensitive element being exposedto the Water in the shower head and the other side thereof presenting anextended area exposed to the outer' air.

12. A safety shower head comprising a hollow casing and having ashut-off valve associated therewith for shutting oli the supply of waterto the head, a power device for opening and closing said valve, andtemperature responsive means for actuating said power device, saidtemperature responsive means including a thin metal wall portion forminga part of the casing wall, and a thermosensitive element formed of thinmetal having good heat conducting properties and joined throughout anextended area to the thin Wall portion of the shower head, one side ofsaid united thin wall portion and thermosensitive element being exposedto the water in the shower head and the other side thereof presenting anextended area exposed to the outer air, and bleeder valve means fordischarging the hot water when the shut-off valve is closed.

13. A safety shower head having a thermoresponsive device forming partof said head and disposed to be in intimate heat exchanging relation tothe water in the head, said device including a bulb portion in the formof a long, small bore, thin walled, tube of metal, and an expansiblechamber forming member connected therewith, the tube and chambercontaining a liquid, a valve carrier operated by the expansible member,and valve mechanism operable by the carrier to shut 01T the delivery ofwater to the head when the water temperature exceeds a predeterminedvalue, said expansible chamber forming member consisting of a bag ofimpervious elastic material having a spiral spring surrounding the bagto limit radial expansion thereof, said spring having its ends anchoredto be substantially co-terminal with the bag.

14. A safety shower head having a thermoresponsive device forming partof said head and disposed to be in intimate heat exchanging relation tothe water in the head, said device including a bulb portion in the formof a long, small bore, thin walled, tube of metal, and an expansilolechamber forming member connected therewith, the tube and chambercontaining a liquid, a valve carrier operated by the expansible member,and valve mechanism operable by the carrier to shut off the delivery ofwater to the head when the water temperature exceeds a predeterminedvalue, said expansible chamber forming member consisting of a bag ofimpervious elastic material having a series of washers surrounding thebag to limit radial expansion, while permitting longitudinal expansionthereof.

HERMAN SCHLAICH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 769,429 Caldwell Sept. 6, 1904985,146 Clorius Feb. 28, 1911 994,994 Gold June 13, 1911 1,290,249Lawler Jan. 7, 1919 1,652,216 Replogle Dec. 13, 1927 1,707,109 BlairMar. 26, 1929 1,712,653 Egloi May 14, 1929 2,076,406 Kern Apr. 6, 19372,210,188 Smith Aug. 6, 1940

